Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS

"Thank you for the single most important and fun trip of my life..."

"I arrived home safely yesterday after a FANTASTIC trip!!!! I cannot thank you enough for all the support and help you gave me. I do not even know where to begin describing all I saw, learned and was able to participate in. My final week with the Bomberos was incredible! Never would I have imagined what an ambulance ride in Guatemala City would be like! I loved staying with Teresa and Arturo... what great people! I would fully recommend for anyone who has the chance to stay in their home and share that experience. Please let them know how much I appreciate their hospitality and friendship:)

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I cannot express it enough! I hope you are blessed with the best fortune in all of the amazing projects you are working on. Sending hugs and thanks!"

"I cannot quite explain what a unique and enriching experience it is to share the everyday lives of this family; we are a little part of something very special in the world right now and we will never forget it. Our host-mother and leading lady, makes sure that we are always happy, always full and always having the very best time. She is an ambassador for San Juan and you would struggle to find a woman with a bigger heart."
Read more here: http://idreamofdesign.wordpress.com/2010/11/12/438/

"The highlight of our trip was a 3 day home stay in San Juan La Laguna, on the shores of Lake Atitlan. We arranged this through http://www.magiccarpetrides.com/index.php. The owners are Markus and Laura, a very delightful couple. The homestay provided the children (and us) a real opportunity to connect with people during our visit. They made instant friends with 3 of the children. Language barrier made no difference. They played constantly and there was much laughter. I had the opportunity to cook with the mother and the father took us all on a beautiful hike. Accommodations were very simple but clean. I came upon Magic Carpet Rides through an NYT article I found on-line. The travel writer described his stay (with the exact family we stayed with) and I knew this was just what I was looking for. During our 10 days, we had so many wonderful experiences, but I know that this 3 day stay is what made the trip extra special for our Guatemalan born children. If you are an adventurous spirit, I highly recommend doing this - works for singles, couples or families."
Read more here: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2025177

"One doesn't have such a deep and meaningful experience in an unfamiliar place without some help cracking the surface, and you sure helped us with that."

"What a wonderful experience. I don't have words for how much it meant to us... My brother didn't stop talking about how nice it was and how he had never experienced something so special in all of his travels around the world. I haven't travelled as extensively as him but I would have to agree."

"I can't tell you how much I admire the choices you have offered: climbing mountains, seeing volcanoes, swimming, waterfalls, Spanish lessons with local people, visiting local families, dancing, cooking, sightseeing, learning about the culture and especially Mayan history. Well, I have never known of such a well-planned, varied, and irresistible trip."

"You took our 'little boy,' taught, fed, led, followed, watched, encouraged, listened, guided and cared for him in a way that he could blossom and grow and become a man—as corny as that sounds. I am so proud of him, I could cry!"

"Thank you for always being there for me and supporting me in everything. You are two of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life and I have matured so much and grown so much just by knowing you. I look up to both of you so much and you are my heroes. THANK YOU! I believe in MCR and everything it stands for. I'm the better for it."

"The MCR program is living up to the highest of expectations. Thank you for putting so much heart, soul, and tender loving care into your first semester. [My daughter] speaks highly of you and I SINCERELY APPRECIATE quality people who have a passion and tireless energy for their work."

"[The MCR student I worked with] is intelligent, thoughtful, professional, helpful and enthusiastic. I was constantly impressed by her as she was significantly more mature than her age. She is a delight to work with and will be excellent in whatever she chooses to do."

"Thank you so much for having the confidence in us to host your students. We are so grateful for the happiness they bring us. We hope you will always come back."

"One of the things that I treasure the most is meeting people like you. It is one of the biggest opportunities that the school offers me."

"My whole life I have always felt like 'I am too young to do that.' Finally, I learned that you can never be too young to achieve... I was just recently thinking about how much it means to do volunteer work when you are able to actually connect with the people instead of just coming in as another foreigner to volunteer for a few days. I also want to thank you guys again for the crazy experiences! I was just telling a little four-year old boy I babysit that I swam with sharks! Hahaha, great accomplishment!"